The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-06-02
OUR WARRINGTON LETTER

Special Correspondence of the NEWS:
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 30.-Rec-
ognizing the difficulties that would be
encountered in attempting a detailed
account of the great National Drill,
even were the space allotted me much
greater than the columns of a news
paper, will not attempt to discuss the
subject in detail. The gentlemen con-
stituting the committee which, few
months since, conceived of, and have
since perfected and carried into execu-
ton, the details of so stupendous an I'M
dertaking as that involved in the bring
ing together in friendly competition
the representative military organiza-
| tions of thirty-one states and terrific
ries, may justly feel proud of the sue
cess of their undertaking.
The space surrounding the Washing
ton monument, covered with its white
tents, rendered brilliant by the varied
uniforms and regimental colors of the
various organizations represented. and
the scene enlivened by the strains of
martial music, serve to recall the day 8
of 1851 and '62, when, as now, the
streets of the national capital echoed
to the tread of marching regiments.
From Oregon to Maine and from Wis
consin to TcXUs, nearly every state In
the Union sent her .. .t,J,i to the ;lri.l,
and whatever the decision of the Judges
may be as to the relative merits of the
various organizations, it may be truth
fully said that without single excep=
ton, every one of the sixty companies
present at the drill presented a credit
able appearance both in camp and upon
the drill ground, and the nation may be
Justly proud that in her citizen SOL
diery she possesses a standing army
which will compare favorably, if not in
point of numbers, at least in proficiency
in military discipline, with the experi-
sive standing armies of foreign nations.
An unexpected incident occurred in
connection with the parade on We'd
nesday evening. 1t had been expected
that all of the visiting companies
would participate in the parade. Sew
eral OF the Southern companies, upon
learning that two colored Organizations
had been assigned positions in the line.
refused to march III their company.
The exhibition drills of the various
Zouaye companies, were, to the general
public, the most interesting of all the
exhibitions given by the visiting com
panies. The manner In which the va
rious. fancy movements, wheeling,
marching, bayonet and skirmish
drills were executed, were
wonderful. One of their feats-the
scaling of a fifteen-foot fence-was,
perhaps, the most difficult yet attempt
ed upon drill ground. At the word of
command they broke for the fence,
rapidly formed a pyramid, tossed up
their gun, and with a cat-like agility
followed = themselves. When but two
men rem ned, and the spectators were
guessing out a way of saving them, one
jumped upon the shoulders of the
other, thence to the top of the feIics,
and there turned about and helped up
his fellow.
On Wednesday evening the camp
was visited by the most severe thunder
storm OF the season, but aside from the
overturnlng of two or three of the tents
which had not been properly secured,
ana the consequent drenching of the
occupants, little damage was done.
Inc PRESIDENT accompanied by Mrs.
Cleveland, Mr.. and Mrs. Lamont, and
a party of select friends, left Washing
ton Thursday last for the Adirondack
region, where they will spend a few
days IN reel cation upon the shores of
Saranac Lake. 1t is expected that the
President will return to Washington
on the NTH of June, and that he will
spend the Summer months at his conn
try residence. N.